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Science News Archive February 2022 - Page 23


Page 23 of 40

CityU scientist invents novel droplet manipulation method “WRAP”

Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have developed a novel droplet manipulation method called WRAP, which can transport micro-sized droplets using electromagnets or programmable electromagnetic fields. The method overcomes challenges in traditional magnetic actuation, such as contamination from added magnetic particles.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 11, 2022

Exercise post-vaccine bumps up antibodies, new study finds

Researchers found that 90 minutes of mild-to-moderate intensity exercise after a flu or COVID-19 vaccination increased antibody production in the following four weeks. The study involved participants who exercised on a stationary bike or took a brisk walk, and similar results were seen in mice experiments.

SourceIowa State University·JournalBrain Behavior and Immunity·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 11, 2022

Researchers restore brain immune system function after prenatal exposure to environmental toxin

Prenatal exposure to industrial toxin TCDD may cause long-term damage to brain circuits and potentially lead to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD. Researchers found that pharmacological manipulation can restore microglia function, suggesting a possible therapeutic avenue for these disorders.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalBrain Behavior and Immunity·DateFeb 11, 2022

Reopening schools in brazil during pandemic

A cross-sectional study of 643 Brazilian municipalities found no significant link between school reopening and COVID-19 case rates or mortality in São Paulo State. The study included 18,761 schools, showing that even vulnerable conditions did not lead to a rise in cases or deaths after reopening.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateFeb 11, 2022

Hospital admission with liver cirrhosis: highest mortality rate of all chronic diseases

A nationwide study in Germany found that liver cirrhosis has the highest mortality rate among chronic diseases, with 0.94% of hospital admissions affected. The study also showed a decline in mortality rates due to improvements in Hepatitis C treatment, but an increase in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease cases.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 11, 2022

The secret hideouts of ovarian cancer revealed

Researchers at the University of Helsinki discovered that tumour cells in ovarian cancer hide from the body's immune system by interacting with specific gene mutations. Tumours with BRCA1/2 mutations are more effectively targeted by killer T-cells, leading to better patient outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 11, 2022

Nanopores feel the heat

A team of researchers at Osaka University created a thermocouple made of gold and platinum nanowires to measure the temperature directly next to a nanopore. They found that thermal energy was dissipated in proportion to the momentum of the ionic flow, in line with Ohm's law predictions.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 11, 2022

Treatment for spatial neglect based on immersive virtual reality offers advantages over traditional therapies

Researchers developed a user-centered virtual reality system to engage stroke survivors with spatial neglect in intensive therapy, showing promising results. The system uses head-mounted displays and hand-tracking technology to deliver standardized treatment in an engaging environment.

SourceKessler Foundation·JournalAnnals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 11, 2022

Colonic gene mapping gives insights into intestinal diseases

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet used spatial transcriptomics to create a map of gene expression in the mouse colon, gaining new insights into inflammatory bowel disease. The study's findings suggest that the colon is divided into more segments than previously thought and could lead to the development of new treatments.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 11, 2022

New computer vision system designed to analyse cells in microscopy videos

Researchers at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid developed a computer vision system to analyze cells in microscopy videos, allowing for automatic characterization of cell behavior. The system enables faster analysis of thousands of cells compared to traditional methods, which typically involve manual segmentation and tracking.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalMedical Image Analysis·TypeImaging analysis·DateFeb 11, 2022

Multiple haplotype-based analyses provide genetic and evolutionary insights into tomato fruit weight and composition

Researchers used haplotype-based analyses to study the genetic architecture of tomato fruit quality traits, increasing detection power and accuracy. Haplotypes were found to be more powerful than single-marker analysis in identifying marker-trait associations and predicting phenotypes.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalHorticulture Research·TypeNews article·DateFeb 11, 2022

Alternative transcription and feedback regulation suggest that SlIDI1 is involved in tomato carotenoid synthesis in a complex way

A novel molecular mechanism underlying the orange-fruited phenotype of tomato has been discovered through a new study. The gene SlIDI1 is found to produce both long and short transcripts simultaneously, which are involved in carotenoid biosynthesis.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalHorticulture Research·TypeNews article·DateFeb 11, 2022

Cellular tornadoes sculpt our organs

A team from UNIGE demonstrates that cells can self-organize to generate forces that model the shapes of our tissues. Topological defects create cellular tornadoes that concentrate forces and shape tissues similar to those observed in embryo development.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Materials·TypeNews article·DateFeb 11, 2022

Quantum tech in space?

Physicists at the University of Sussex have developed a remote monitoring system for quantum devices, allowing for real-time control and issue resolution. This system enables researchers to monitor environmental factors such as temperature, pressure, and laser beams in ultracold quantum laboratories.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalQuantum Science and Technology·DateFeb 11, 2022

Plant smoke detectors evolve as hormone sensors

Researchers have discovered an ancient receptor protein that can detect karrikins in smoke from burnt plant material, initiating molecular signals to speed up seed germination. The study also found that the receptors play a role in sensing growth hormones in plants, shedding light on the enigmatic karrikin signaling pathway.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 11, 2022

Coronary artery calcium may help determine lung cancer patients’ risk of cardiovascular events during radiation treatment

Patients with severe coronary artery calcium have a significantly increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events during thoracic radiation therapy for non-small cell lung cancer. The study found that patients with severe coronary artery calcium had a 21.4 times increased risk compared to those with no coronary artery calcium.

Oncology dietitians rarely ask cancer patients about food insecurity, study finds

A study by researchers at the University of Illinois found that oncology dietitians rarely ask cancer patients about food insecurity, despite awareness that many experience it. The dietitians' estimates of prevalence varied widely, and most did not use validated tools to screen for food insecurity.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 11, 2022

Fall and rise of electricity use in early pandemic

A Stanford University and Oregon State University study found that global electricity consumption declined by 7.6% in April 2020 due to government restrictions, but recovered rapidly as people returned to work and social activities. The magnitude of change was not related to the severity of restrictions or economic activity.

SourceStanford University·JournaliScience·DateFeb 11, 2022

Boosting the immune defense: Interleukin-2 promotes fate decisions in CD8 T cells for long- or short-term immune protection

Researchers found that interleukin-2 promotes the development of two subsets of CD8 T cells, one producing IL-2 and the other not, with distinct fates. The IL-2-producing cells develop into immune memory cells with long-term protection, while the non-IL-2-producing cells gain effector traits but lose memory formation.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 11, 2022

Sleep apnea in pregnancy associated with increased post-delivery risk of metabolic syndrome, hypertension

Research found that pregnant women with sleep apnea are at a higher risk for developing hypertension and metabolic syndrome after delivery. A study of over 1,900 women found that those with persistent sleep apnea were three times more likely to develop hypertension and two times more likely to develop metabolic syndrome.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 11, 2022

Specific cancer driving protein plays important role in lung cancer development, Moffitt researchers say

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have identified ΔNp63 as a protein that contributes to lung cancer development by regulating stem cells and crucial elements known as enhancers. The study found that mice deficient for ΔNp63 in the lung developed fewer lung tumors and had fewer stem cells compared to control mice.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 11, 2022

Patients undergoing treatment for cancer more susceptible to COVID-19 misinformation, study finds

A new study found that cancer patients currently undergoing treatment are more likely to believe false information about COVID-19, while those no longer in treatment are less vulnerable. This is due to heightened anxiety and increased information seeking, which can impact their critical thinking abilities.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalPatient Education and Counseling·DateFeb 11, 2022

Molecules at a hairdresser’s

Physicists at Nicolaus Copernicus University developed new methods of molecular spectroscopy in optical cavity structures, offering higher precision and sensitivity. The methods were tested using dual-comb cavity ring-down spectroscopy, enabling parallel broadband spectroscopy with limited spectral definition.

SourceNicolaus Copernicus University in Torun·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 11, 2022

African Heritage Sites threatened by coastal flooding and erosion as sea-level rise accelerates

Climate change is threatening African cultural and natural heritage sites, with 56 of 284 sites identified as highly exposed to extreme sea levels and erosion. The number of affected sites is projected to triple by 2050 under high emissions scenarios, highlighting the need for urgent climate change adaptation measures.

SourceUniversity of South Africa - Cape Town Campus·JournalNature Climate Change·DateFeb 10, 2022